Mode detail
Ferryboat
Ferryboat service carrying passengers, and sometimes vehicles, across water.
Boardings
Nationwide, annual
Operating cost
As reported and in 2024 dollars
Largest Ferryboat operators, FY2025
| # | Agency | Service | Boardings | Operating cost | Cost / ride | Subsidy / ride | Fare recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Washington State Ferries
Olympia, WA
|
Directly operated | 19,399,898 | $374,787,895 | $19.32 | $15.53 | 19.6% |
| 2 |
New York City Department of Transportation
New York, NY
|
Directly operated | 16,705,287 | $200,598,178 | $12.01 | — | — |
| 3 |
New York City Economic Development Corporation
New York, NY
|
Purchased transportation | 7,398,866 | $84,049,939 | $11.36 | $8.05 | 29.1% |
| 4 |
NY Waterway
Weehawken, NJ
|
Directly operated | 4,967,345 | $27,004,142 | $5.44 | $-3.52 | 164.7% |
| 5 |
The Steamship Authority
Falmouth, MA
|
Directly operated | 2,958,012 | $122,625,229 | $41.46 | $29.34 | 29.2% |
| 6 |
San Francisco Bay Ferry
San Francisco, CA
|
Purchased transportation | 2,836,526 | $65,696,279 | $23.16 | $17.84 | 23% |
| 7 |
Puerto Rico Maritime Transport Authority
Guaynabo, PR
|
Purchased transportation | 1,734,058 | $53,672,961 | $30.95 | $27.07 | 12.6% |
| 8 |
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
San Francisco, CA
|
Directly operated | 1,582,632 | $44,589,757 | $28.17 | $19.00 | 32.6% |
| 9 |
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Boston, MA
|
Purchased transportation | 1,484,012 | $26,278,201 | $17.71 | $10.87 | 38.6% |
| 10 |
SeaStreak, LLC
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
|
Directly operated | 1,414,448 | $26,572,640 | $18.79 | $-2.54 | 113.5% |
| 11 | Purchased transportation | 1,299,580 | $52,775,335 | $40.61 | $38.83 | 4.4% | |
| 12 |
Kitsap Transit
Bremerton, WA
|
Directly operated | 1,283,362 | $23,330,275 | $18.18 | $13.82 | 24% |
| 13 |
Casco Bay Lines
Portland, ME
|
Directly operated | 1,108,347 | $9,510,222 | $8.58 | $4.75 | 44.7% |
| 14 |
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
New Orleans, LA
|
Purchased transportation | 1,049,601 | $11,287,430 | $10.75 | $9.96 | 7.4% |
| 15 |
Hy-Line Cruises
Hyannis, MA
|
Directly operated | 964,973 | $24,010,381 | $24.88 | $-13.23 | 153.2% |
| 16 |
Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority
Sault Sainte Marie, MI
|
Directly operated | 847,122 | $4,394,291 | $5.19 | $2.38 | 54% |
| 17 |
Cape May Lewes Ferry
New Castle, DE
|
Directly operated | 735,331 | $24,390,559 | $33.17 | $26.01 | 21.6% |
| 18 |
Chatham Area Transit Authority
Savannah, GA
|
Directly operated | 576,309 | $1,302,854 | $2.26 | $0.88 | 61.1% |
| 19 |
King County Metro
Seattle, WA
|
Directly operated | 547,531 | $11,151,600 | $20.37 | $16.33 | 19.8% |
| 20 |
Chicago Water Taxi (Wendella)
Chicago, IL
|
Directly operated | 538,075 | $1,653,866 | $3.07 | $-3.74 | 221.6% |
| 21 |
Louisiana Gateway Port
Belle Chasse, LA
|
Directly operated | 471,854 | $5,000,844 | $10.60 | $10.23 | 3.5% |
| 22 |
Pierce County Ferry
Tacoma, WA
|
Purchased transportation | 467,037 | $7,652,396 | $16.38 | $9.18 | 44% |
| 23 |
Maine Department of Transportation
Augusta, ME
|
Directly operated | 463,273 | $24,112,621 | $52.05 | $36.20 | 30.4% |
| 24 |
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Jacksonville, FL
|
Purchased transportation | 407,609 | $4,104,587 | $10.07 | $6.83 | 32.2% |
| 25 |
Charm City Circulator
Baltimore, MD
|
Purchased transportation | 291,921 | $1,364,647 | $4.67 | — | — |